From Abdullahi Shugaba in Katsina
The Nigerian Navy has commissioned a ‘Quick Impact Projects’ in Kerau Community in Katsina metropolis, saying collaboration with the public remains key to tackling insurgency and cross-border crimes.
Citizenship Daily reports that the Nigerian Navy (NN) has provided an 80,000-litre Capacity Solar-Powered Industrial Borehole, Solar-Powered Street Lights and a renovated the community school in Kereu ward.
In a statement obtained by the Citizenship Media, the gesture was executed in honour of Rear Admiral Mohammed Yakubu Dahiru, Director of Project Monitoring and Evaluation in recognition of his good services at Naval Headquarters Abuja ahead of his retirement from service.
Rear Admiral Aminu Abdullahi, Director of Ship Space at Naval Headquarters who represented the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Abbas Idi said the Navy is expanding beyond Sea Operations to support grassroots development.
“We cannot secure the nation through force alone, gaining the trust of citizens and working alongside them is what makes our security efforts effective,” he stated.
According to the Naval Chief, the Navy is combining traditional security work with what he described as “people-centered” approaches, including intelligence sharing and building rapport with communities, to prevent threats before they occur.
According to him, Rear Admiral Dahiru, in whose honor the projects were executed, said the interventions was apt and deliberate.
“We targeted water, education, and community safety because those are the immediate needs of the people in that community”
.
“This is how the Navy gives back through its civil cooperation mandate. When we invest in people, we also invest in peace and security” he said.
Katsina State Governor, Dr. Dikko Umaru Radda, was represented by the Chief of Staff, Government House, Alhaji Abdulkadir Mamman Nasir.
The Governor commended the Navy and praised Rear Admiral Dahiru, an indigene of Kerau, for facilitating the projects.
He said the water facility and school upgrade would directly support health and education in the community.
He also highlighted that the state is running its own water and lighting programs under the Urban Renewal initiative, covering both urban and semi-urban areas.
The Chief of Staff urged nembers Katsina metropolis to exercise patience in view of the disruptions in the ongoing road works around the city
“As we upgrade our roads, we are also fixing and expanding water networks,
The temporary challenges now will translate into lasting benefits for residents,” he added.
Traditional and community leaders alongside with resident who graced the ovcasion thanked the Navy and the state government for the kind gesture.
.
They described the projects as timely support that will address long-standing problems of water shortage and poor school infrastructure in Kerau.
